Inside How Vaccines Are A Part of the New Border Opening

Sidney Martin (G8)

Published Issue 2 2021-2022

Current Events (National)

As the Canada-US border is soon to reopen, more and more people are prepared to start to travel. But as excitement rises so do the questions. Do I need to take a test to go over the border? What vaccines am I allowed to have to cross the border? What happens if you are 11 or younger? All of these questions will be clarified within this article.

So what is the border situation right now? So far the date set for the United States border to reopen is currently, November 8, 2021. There are also current requirements listed below to pass through borders when going on a flight.

The current requirements at border crossings are:

• Pre-entry negative Covid-19 test

• Proof of Vaccination

• ArriveCAN receipt

• Any other travel documents (ie. a Passport)

(These rules were last updated on September 26, 2021.)

What is the vaccination situation in British Columbia? Premier Horgan announced that British Columbians will need to have their vaccination passport and vaccine cards to travel by airplane. The BC card is also a way for the BC province to know if you are double-vaccinated. The BC card is a vaccination card to show that you have been fully vaccinated. Every other province and territory, except for BC, has put this national standard to use. Premier Horgan says on Global News, “We are hopefully going to clarify issues in the days ahead,”

What is the vaccination situation in Canada? Starting on October 30 every Canadian will be required to show their proof of vaccinations and a negative Covid-19 test to travel on a train or airplane. And starting November 30, Canadians will be required to show a federal vaccination card to travel in and out of Canada, although this card will be different from the BC card.

Even if these changes make travelling internationally less worrisome and cause less stress for everyone in Canada, Ottawa thinks it is a good idea to proceed with the requirement of all travellers coming back to Canada to provide a negative Covid-19 test. Although, this will be difficult for many people as tests cost $200.

The news of travelling between borders freely once again seems like the next step forward through the crisis of Covid-19, but many with mixed vaccinations are confused as to if they can travel. So what does it mean for the mixed vaccinated people of Canada to go into the US? And what vaccines are people allowed to have to cross the border?

In a CTV news video, it was announced that for those of mixed vaccinations, non-essential travel will be permitted without the need for a negative Covid-19 test. “Starting November 8th, those who have received a mixed dose of vaccines will be allowed into the US for non-essential travel. Proof of a negative test before crossing by land will also not be required.”

The US has accepted that people with Pfizer and Moderna are allowed to enter the US. AstraZeneca is not in use in the US. Although if you received shots of AstraZeneca in Canada you are allowed to travel to the US. The CDC has recently said, any traveller entering the US is allowed to be immunized by any of the WHO accepted vaccines. Dr. Dale Kalina said on Channel Canada, “Keep in mind, that we have only recognized vaccines that we currently use here as well. And there are others that also offer a very good degree of protection,”

Are kids 11 and under, or any who are not vaccinated, allowed to cross the border? The Department of Homeland security announced that any travellers that are not vaccinated, entering the US will not be permitted to cross the border, this was said from CTV news. Whereas a Global News article stated that children under 12 will be allowed to travel to the US and internationally. But they will only be allowed to do this as long as they are accompanied by parents, step-parents, tutors or any other guardian who are fully vaccinated. Additionally, the article explained that upon re-entering Canada, children won’t be required to quarantine for 2 weeks, but they won’t be able to go to school or pre-school. This means that kids will be able to go to the park or come with their parents to the store, they will just be required to physically distance and wear a mask when in indoor public facilities.

Before children aged 5 and older (this doesn’t mean anyone younger than 5 can go on a plane, they can) go on a plane, they will be needed to prove a negative Covid test. A negative Covid test will also be needed upon arrival, and when re-entering Canada. Children under 5 are allowed to not take a negative Covid test.

Hopefully, the new reopening brings families back together again and the next few steps bring the world back to normal - or to a new normal - and away from the Covid life. A life that we have all gotten used to, but are tired of.